Press Release

Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence Witnesses Outpouring of Support from Individuals, Churches, Civic Groups, Companies and Other Nonprofits During Coronavirus Pandemic

Duluth, Ga., June 4, 2020 – When Rainbow Village made the difficult decision to close its Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) and Afterschool Youth Programs in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic in March, the nonprofit organization knew the impact would be felt keenly by its residents. With the purpose of providing the tools, programs and transitional housing needed to lead homeless families back to a place of self-sustainability, Rainbow Village understands that many of its residents rely on the ECDC and Afterschool Program for a safe and engaging place for their kids to go while the parent works, attends college or seeks employment. Following the lead of Gwinnett County Public Schools as it does during inclement weather and other emergency situations, Rainbow Village did not take lightly the effect the closure might have on the families it serves and launched the COVID-19 Family Relief Fund as a precautionary measure. Over the weeks that followed, the North Metro Atlanta community came out to show its overwhelming support for Rainbow Village families, donating food, supplies and an incredible $118,514 for the COVID-19 Family Relief Fund.

“We are completely blown away by the way the community came together in support of the families Rainbow Village serves,” said Melanie Conner, CEO for Rainbow Village. “Girl Scout Troops, churches, neighborhoods, companies and civic groups collected and delivered food and supplies for our families. I’m so proud of the way our staff stepped up and rolled with the changes during the last few months, as well as the way our Board of Directors showed their true investment in this campus and the people who call Rainbow Village home. Our residents watched out for one another as friends and neighbors, really putting the ‘village’ in Rainbow Village. And during it all, we moved in three new families. It’s been nothing short of incredible.”

Conner also pointed to the donation of computers and Wi-Fi adapters from X-Cel and CentricsIT, which connect to campus-wide Wi-Fi made possible from a grant from the Waffle House Foundation. Those gifts allowed Rainbow Village students to take part in online schooling and adults to work remotely. Fully Furnished Ministries donated furniture for the three new incoming families. And, although the original goal for the Rainbow Village COVID-19 Family Relief Fund was set at $10,000, a number of families came forward with generous matching gifts that inspired others to give. The funds raised will help provide summer programming for Rainbow Village kids, assist with increased summer utility costs in the provision of a safe and comfortable home for families, repair or replace aging appliances, and so much more.

About Rainbow Village: Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence to Benefit from Newest Board Member’s Experience with Atlanta Children’s Shelter

Duluth, Ga., May 27, 2020 – Giving back is nothing new for Home Depot Vice President for Transportation, Michelle Livingstone. In addition to serving on the boards of several business-associated organizations over the years, she was proud to serve on the board of the Atlanta Children’s Shelter for the last six. Sharing similar objectives to help homeless children and their families, Livingstone was drawn to Rainbow Village and its mission to help the whole family break the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence.

“The nonprofit community is fairly close-knit and when a friend of mine discovered Rainbow Village, she spoke so highly of its mission and leadership team that I couldn’t wait to learn more,” recalled Livingstone. “I went on a tour of the campus and was impressed by the organization and the folks behind it. I really like the housing component and the breadth and depth of resources available at Rainbow Village, as well as the time they provide their program participants to find their way back to self-sufficiency. Up to two years, if needed. I think that’s phenomenal.”

During her time at Atlanta Children’s Shelter, Livingstone witnessed firsthand that homelessness and domestic violence can happen to anyone. “Everyone has a story,” she added. “They just need someone to listen. They just need a hand up. I believe it’s our duty to help them get back on their feet. Giving back has always been important to me personally, but it’s also one of Home Depot’s core values. I love the idea of helping other women feel successful, so Rainbow Village is a good match for me all the way around.”

Livingstone believes Rainbow Village’s success over the last 29 years can be attributed to making homeless families feel like they’re part of a community that cares. She feels that’s the best way to break the cycles and help them become self-sufficient. She is also impressed by the resources Rainbow Village provides to its residents – including transitional housing, childcare, training and development, life skills classes and so much more.

“I have no doubt that my background in Corporate America can be an asset to Rainbow Village,” said Livingstone. “I can use my experience to help their residents be successful – for instance, practicing an interview for a job. I can also possibly fast track the success of Rainbow Village and its residents by leveraging my network to bring new insights and perspectives. I’m really excited about this opportunity. There is no better feeling in the world than helping others achieve their potential.”

“We’re truly thrilled to welcome Michelle to the board of Rainbow Village,” said Melanie Conner, the nonprofit’s CEO. “She has found great success in her own life and is a true powerhouse in inspiring others to rise to their own levels of success. I know she will bring amazing ideas and equally amazing energy to our board room at every meeting.”

As the newest member of the board of directors at Rainbow Village, Livingstone has already been made to feel right at home. She has had a terrific time meeting the other board members, who she considers to be all like-minded people. A veteran with Home Depot for more than 12 years, Livingstone enjoys attracting other women to the supply chain industry. Along with her husband Bob, Livingstone takes great pride in the servant’s heart displayed by her daughter, Amanda, who has a master’s degree in International Human Rights and works with the White Ribbon Alliance in Washington D.C.

About Rainbow Village: Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Columbia Engineering to Present
Tournament on August 24 to Benefit Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the Cycles
of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence

Duluth, Ga., March 30, 2020 – Out of an abundance of caution for participants of its annual Second Chance Golf Classic, Rainbow Village is requesting a “mulligan” of its own. Having originally scheduled the fundraising event for May 4, the current Coronavirus Pandemic has necessitated the move to a new date of August 24. Presented by Columbia Engineering for the second year in a row, the Rainbow Village Second Chance Golf Classic will be hosted at TPC Sugarloaf, with a shotgun start of 10 a.m.

“As one of our largest fundraisers of the year, the participation from
sponsors and individual golfers is crucial to our ongoing provision of
transitional housing and life-changing programming to the families we serve,”
explained Rainbow Village CEO, Melanie Conner. “Given the name ‘Second Chance’
to reflect the second chances Rainbow Village provides to families who have
recently escaped situations marred by homelessness, poverty and domestic
violence, the tagline for our golf classic is ‘The Course of Life can be a
Challenge; Sometimes We Need a Mulligan!’ A popular golf term for a do-over
stroke, a mulligan is exactly what we’re requesting as an organization at this
time. The response from companies and individuals who’d signed on for the earlier
date has been overwhelmingly supportive of the change. We’re incredibly blessed
to have such an amazing support system from our local business, civic, family
and faith communities.”

In addition
to Columbia Engineering, sponsors that have signed on to date for the Rainbow Village Second Chance Golf
Classic include: Level Seven Facilities Services; Triad Advisors; Landmark
Landscapes; Motor Cars of Atlanta; Sutter, McLellan & Gilbreath, Inc.; and
Renasant Bank. Additional sponsorship opportunities remain – many of which
include golf foursomes, marketing table and tent on the course, signs on the
course, recognition on LED leader board, inclusion in social media posts and
more.

Lunch,
beverages, snacks and dinner will be provided for each golfer. To view
available sponsorship levels or purchase spots for individual golfers and
foursomes. for the Rainbow Village Second Chance Golf Classic, interested
parties can visit the Golf 2020 page at www.rainbowvillage.org.

About Rainbow Village: Established in 1991 and based in Duluth,
Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to
breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed
to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a
holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children.
With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial
independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and
after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career
counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and
more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor
children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a
volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

Nonprofit Dedicated to Breaking the
Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence Honored as One of the
County’s Foremost Providers of Family Services

Duluth, Ga., March 5, 2020 – After a
rigorous process that’s 10 months in the making, the votes are in and Rainbow
Village has once again been recognized among the best nonprofits in Gwinnett
County. Earning its “Best of Gwinnett” title in Family Services, the nonprofit
dedicated to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence
in the lives of the families it serves is incredibly honored to achieve this recognition.

Created
by Guide to Gwinnett, the Best of Gwinnett poll spans a wide variety of
industries – from Auto Dealers to Wedding Venues and everything in between.
Best of Gwinnett winners and nominees are chosen by a combination of readers’
votes and editors’ input. The process begins with a nomination on the Best of
Gwinnett website. After tens of thousands of votes have been received and
tallied, the voting culminates with the publishing of the annual Best of
Gwinnett issue. Best of Gwinnett marks the highest designation given to the
businesses with the most votes in their category, followed by Among the Best
and Ones to Watch/Others Worth Noting.

“Because
Best of Gwinnett involves the votes of our Gwinnett County neighbors, that
makes this recognition all the sweeter,” said Melanie Conner, CEO for Rainbow
Village. “We don’t do what we do for the recognition and fanfare, but it’s
awfully nice to be thought of so highly as to be declared the BEST in our local
community. What’s equally important is that recognitions like this shine the
spotlight on our all-important work of helping homeless families find their way
back to lives of self-sufficiency. It validates our work and our perception in
Gwinnett County, while making us more visible to people who didn’t know about
us – whether that be a homeless family seeking help or a local leader seeking a
nonprofit for his or her company to partner with. We are truly grateful to
Guide to Gwinnett and everyone who voted on our behalf for this honor.”

To determine the Best of Gwinnett, reader
opinions are vetted thru several ranking sites, Better Business Bureau
complaint reports, and voting pattern analysis reports before Guide to Gwinnett
approves Best of Gwinnett winners. Winners are named in more than 20 broad
business and community sectors.

About Rainbow Village: Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia,
Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the
cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as
a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic,
two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the
goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial
independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and
after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career
counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and
more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor
children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a
volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.

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